Live Well

Be Green, Give Back, Go Natural....For Animals, People & The Earth

We can all help change today, and tomorrow. From buying organic foods and helping the farmer, who takes a big financial risk by growing organic crops, to signing a petition to stop the unnecessary slaughter of animals – from listening to a story told by an elder, to giggling uncontrollably with a child who is ill – from turning off a light when a room is unattended, to picking up a piece of trash when out for a walk. The most mundane "things" can bring about change, and in return we'll feel better knowing someone, or something, has been helped because we cared enough to try. And that's what it's all about....trying.

By trying we not only help our planet, our animal friends and other people, but we also help ourselves. Paying attention, laughing more, being concerned & aware....it all adds up in helping us take care of ourselves as well - it makes us feel good.

Personally, we have worked hard for several years to create and maintain our yard as an animal refuge and natural area. Throughout this [ongoing] process, we have dedicated ourselves to maintaining various native, and non-native grasses, shrubs, trees, herbs and flowers while providing animals with a safe, happy and secure environment as closely related to their natural World as possible. And we encourage all wildlife to dine & live in our yard by building bird feeders and bird & bat houses as well as provide housing & food for other critters when needed. Our yard is now filled with natural resources that are animal, people & Earth friendly. Just this past year, our yard was certified as a wildlife habitat.

We really do try our best to be animal, people & earth friendly – we are constantly re-evaluating the way we live, the materials we use and the products we offer; with every intention of using & selling items that are healthy, safe and kind. We also donate a portion of all proceeds from purchases made at our online stores & galleries into a fund for the needs & care of animals (both domestic & wild). From this fund, we give to various local shelters, rescues, vets, animal organizations and more. Our donations are offered in the form of money, toys, food, medicine, etc.

Artists, Artisans, Crafters, Creatives, Business Owners, Anyone & Everyone -- Here are some ideas on how to recycle, reuse, reduce and renew; a few very simple ways in which anyone can try to help.

• Be kind & respectful
• Bring bags of cat and/or dog food and unwanted blankets/sheets to local animal shelters/rescues
• Clean glass with a vinegar & water solution
• Clean office, home & autos with a hemp based organic cleaner
• Clean air filters, vents, ducts, etc. frequently to keep them working efficiently
• Compost all unused portions of vegetables, fruits, tea/infusion herbs,egg shells and dead plants; we always encourage folks we know to "donate" to our compost pile
• Cook elderly neighbors a meal, or invite them to your home for dinner
• Craft presents from available products you may have, such as dried yard flowers, pine cones, plastic bottles, scrap metal and/or wood
• Create cool décor or gifts from trash (one man’s trash is another man's treasure)
• Dance, whether or not anyone is watching
• Do not use a microwave oven, aerosol sprays, aluminum or Teflon cooking or baking materials
• Do not sell [new] manufactured – commercial leather products -- repurposing old, used leather products has it's benefits on our environment and animal friends
• Donate old equipment or ensure it is properly recycled
• Donate used and unwanted furniture, clothes, magazines, books and more
• Donate to the "Trees For The Future" organization with every wood framed fine-art print purchase
• Donate gifts (in the form of money, toys, food, clothing, etc.) to local children's groups, and to widely known animal welfare, children and Earth friendly organizations
• Don't park too close near the entrance of a store or building to allow a person(s) who has difficulty walking to have the good parking spot
• Encourage the use of paperless forms of communication and transmission by providing electronic files (PDF, Word Doc. etc.)
• Encourage the electronic delivery of images through email and your website
• Give up your seat for someone who really needs it
• Give unwanted clothing or house wares to places like the Salvation Army
• Give unwanted coats, hats, gloves, boots or blankets to homeless people
• Go to local hospitals and read a children’s book to an ill child, or bring them crayons & a coloring book and help them create art
• Hang laundry on an outdoor clothesline as often as you can
• If you see someone who needs help, ask them if they'd like assistance
• Limit your use of cell phones, television and artificial lighting; and keep them turned off when not in use
• Listen when someone needs to talk and encourage when someone needs support
• Offer online proofing to your clients, through online gallery sites, websites and/or email
• Open a door for someone
• Package crafts, prints & photo products in canvas tote bags, with canvas bag tags tied on with raffia and recycled paper-thank you notes
• Pick up trash while on walks, hikes, picnics, etc. and dispose of it properly
• Primarily use rechargeable batteries and digital cameras; this cuts down on film/slide packaging, processing chemicals, etc.
• Put exterior lights on motion sensors that automatically shut off
• Read labels
• Recycle purchased and/or found aluminum materials
• Recycle our automobile fluids
• Recycle certain metals into knife blades, jewelry, wind chimes, plant holders, etc.
• Recycle paper, plastic, bottles, boxes, cardboard, cans and printer cartridges
• Re-gift unwanted presents
• Remember someone in your prayers, or meditation
• Rescue & help injured, orphaned & neglected animals; whenever possible
• Sing out loud, regardless if anyone is listening
• Smile more
• Support organic farming
• Take food items to local soup kitchens
• Take unwanted magazines to nursing and/or retirement homes
• Take old newspapers to local farmers
• If you know how, or would like to learn a new craft, start to tan hides from discarded deer carcasses that are left to rot by unknowledgeable hunters; and craft leather goods from those tanned hides
• Transplant/replant flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, etc. whenever possible
• Try to eat meals together; with family and/or friends
• Try to limit your use of paper products for marketing & business forms only, try to only send eNewsletters instead of paper newsletters
• Try to limit your use of air conditioning; using fans & open windows instead
• Turn off computers and office equipment when not in use
• Unplug chargers when not in use
• Use cloth napkins
• Use natural & herbal flea & tick control on your animal friends, and natural pesticides in your yard; but only when needed
• Use natural brush cleaner after painting
• Use recycled printer paper
• Use as many organic and/or natural business, home, personal & food products as you can
• Use an artificial Christmas tree instead of contributing to cutting down a pine tree – and no, that is not the "purpose" of a pine tree at a Christmas tree farm :o) OR, at least recycle your Christmas tree after Christmas
• Purchase used home & office furniture; if you can, or know someone who can, make your own
• Visit someone you know, or someone you don’t know, at a nursing home – or hospital
• Volunteer some time – this can include anything from helping at an animal shelter to a nursing home to a library, etc. – it includes services for graphic design, telephone work, computer work, etc.
• Work with natural light as often as you can
• Work with used props